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Discussion Thread: Historical Christian Purpose of Education
Joseph Marks
John W. Rawlings School of Divinity, Liberty University
EDUC 305: Educational Philosophy for Teachers
Dr. James Wicks
May 26. 2025
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Discussion Thread: Historical Christian Purpose of Education
Link: Protestant Reformation: Educational Ideas and Approaches Cultivated by Luther
and Other Reformers (PAPER; Smith): https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Protestant-
Reformation%3A-Educational-Ideas-and-Smith/39ed238f3add9fdcdd32df712b0059a394eab87d
The historical purpose of education in the United States was to make sure that the
population had basic knowledge and academic skills and improve the country's literacy levels.
Smith, in the paper, cites, "The rise of modern education can be attributed to the Reformation
belief that all individuals should be able to read the Bible in their own language" (Smith, 2017).
The article asserts that protestant reformers such as John Calvin and Martin Luther through the
article titled "The Protestant Reformation: Educational Ideas and Approaches Cultivated by
Luther and Other Reformers" had a crucial role in the development of compulsory schooling in
the West, mostly in the New England which led to improved literacy levels (Smith, 2017). At the
start of the Middle Ages, several factors led to literacy development in the U.S, among them
increasing literacy levels in the European population, the introduction of press and print media,
which made literature easily accessible and affordable, and the availability of literature in
common languages. In combination with Reformation across the country led to the development
of learning centers. Protestant reformers who contributed to this development believed that
primary school availability should not be an option but rather compulsory and available to
everyone.
I believe that the purpose of education is to promote literacy levels by offering the
population adequate and essential ideas, skills, and concepts to enable them to achieve their
desired life goals. As educators, I believe that creating an appropriate atmosphere where students
gain skills and maximize and reach their potential is paramount. Through education, the young
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minds in the population can improve their abilities to think, act, and independently learn to be
productive. I believe education stimulates, encourages, and motivates individuals to be
responsible and maximize their potentials.
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References
Smith, S.J. (2017). The Protestant Reformation: Educational Ideas and Approaches Cultivated by
Luther and Other Reformers.
FromBDiscussion Thread: Historical Christian Purpose of Education
Joseph Marks
Hi Brittany,
I really enjoyed reading your post. Like you, I find it fascinating that, since 1838, the
McGuffey Eclectic Readers taught more Americans to read than any other textbook" (Smith,
2008). That is a interesting fact, that besides the Bible, this particular book taught the newly
settled Americans how to read. Also,BThe West was settling, and new immigrants were arriving
in the United States. Textbooks were needed for the curriculum to instruct children and William
Holmes McGuffey had Readers published that were age appropriate. Different Readers were
published and the material in the Readers taught the alphabet, phonics, words, sentences,
spelling, speech, comprehension, and thinking skills. Some Readers contained information about
farming, science and History. The Readers taught immigrants the English language (Smith,
2008). It is kind of what was needed came with the Readers. Thanks for Sharing.
References
Smith, Samuel J., "McGufey Readers" (2008). Faculty Publications and Presentations.
Paper 101.Bhttps://digitalcommons.liberty.edu/educ_fac_pubs/101
Blessings,
Joseph
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FromBDiscussion Thread: Historical Christian Purpose of Education
13 hours ago
Joseph Marks
Hi Jill,
I really appreciated reading your post. I really liked how you brought out how Harvard
was established. I found an interesting article about how education was in the early years of the
United States. In the early years of the nation, schooling was haphazard. Many children were
excluded onB the basis of income, race or ethnicity, gender, geographic location, and other
reasons (Kober & Rentner, 2019). This was before public Schools were around, right around
when the US became a nation. According to Kober & Renter, The nations’ founders recognized
that educating people for citizenship would be difficult toBaccomplish without a more systematic
approach to schooling. Soon after the AmericanBRevolution, Thomas Jefferson, John Adams, and
other early leaders proposed the creation of aBmore formal and unified system of publicly funded
schools. You can see that even the founding fathers believed highly in education that they would
pay for free education. This was in 1785. For the Scripture states, "BDon’t copy the behavior and
customs of this world, but let God transform you into a new person by changing the way you
think. Then you will learn to know God’s will for you, which is good and pleasing and perfect"
(Holy Bible,B New Living Translation, Romans 12:2).B
ReferencesB
HolyBBible, New Living Translation. (2018). Tyndale House Publishers. Originally
published 1996.
Kober, N., & Rentner, D. S. (2019, November 30). History and evolution of public
education in the US. Center on Education Policy. https://eric.ed.gov/?id=ED606970 .
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Blessings,
Joseph
Replies:
Malourdes Malmquist
May 19 4:05am
Joseph,
Thank you for a well-explained post regarding the effects of the Protestant Reformation
on the historical Christian purpose of education. I particularly liked that you explained what
reformers such as Luther and Calvin wanted to allow people to read the Bible in the common
language, and fundamentally provided the basis for the early American education system in New
England, to build schools to teach students spiritually and academically (Parish, 2018, pp. 51-
55). I completely agree with your position that education is not just to provide students with the
tools to prepare them for an eventual job, but help to shape character and personal responsibility
and you explained it really well when you said we can make a space where students can do their
best, not only for personal and academic development but moral development too. Examples of
this philosophy are still present today, especially with faith-based educational institutions in
which philosophies and practices embrace aspects of academic education, while equally raising
and preparing them to live a life of service, compassion, and truth. These values reflect the
reformers’ philosophies about education, which should be accessible and transformative. Your
reflection really ties together the historical context with a contemporary view. I think you did a
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great job defining your philosophy of education and then connecting to its historical beliefs. I
appreciate that you even cited Smith (2017); it adds scholarly context.
Reference:
Parish, H. L. (2018). A short history of the reformation. I. B. Tauris & Company, Limited.
Smith, S. J. (2017). The Protestant Reformation: Educational ideas and approaches cultivated by
Luther and other reformers. Semantic Scholar.
https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Protestant-Reformation%3A-Educational-
Ideas-and-Smith/39ed238f3add9fdcdd32df712b0059a394eab87d
Traci Ani
May 20 9:58am
Reply from Traci Ani
Joseph,
Education has played a significant role in terms of developing new theories along with
the political aspects of the United States. It is about maximizing you mindset and developing
your own in order to advance in the future to achieve success. Education is where the journey
truly begins.
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Nydia Martes
May 20 5:52pm
Reply from Nydia Martes
Joseph, you’ve done a fantastic job summarizing how the Protestant Reformation helped
shape modern education. I especially liked how you linked the ability to read with personal
empowerment, which is still an important idea today. You highlighted how Martin Luther
believed everyone should be able to read the Bible in their language. This idea encouraged
people to learn to read and made knowledge more accessible to everyone. Recent studies show
that being able to read is still a key factor in gaining independence and taking part in society
today. Your focus on creating an environment where students thrive connects with this important
educational goal.
References:
Frey, N. (2020). Cultivating literacy in a digital world: Strategies for equitable teaching. ASCD.
Smith, S. J. (2017). The Protestant Reformation: Educational Ideas and Approaches Cultivated
by Luther and Other Reformers. Retrieved from
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https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-Protestant-Reformation%3A-Educational-
Ideas-and-Smith/39ed238f3add9fdcdd32df712b0059a394eab87d
Nydia Martes
May 20 5:54pm
Reply from Nydia Martes
Joseph, you’ve done a fantastic job summarizing how the Protestant Reformation helped
shape modern education. I especially liked how you linked the ability to read with personal
empowerment, which is still an important idea today. You highlighted how Martin Luther
believed everyone should be able to read the Bible in their language. This idea encouraged
people to learn to read and made knowledge more accessible to everyone. Recent studies show
that being able to read is still a key factor in gaining independence and taking part in society
today. Your focus on creating an environment where students thrive connects with this important
educational goal.
References:
Frey, N. (2020). Cultivating literacy in a digital world: Strategies for equitable teaching. ASCD.
Smith, S. J. (2017). The Protestant Reformation: Educational Ideas and Approaches Cultivated
by Luther and Other Reformers. Retrieved fromBhttps://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/The-
Protestant-Reformation%3A-Educational-Ideas-and-Smith/
39ed238f3add9fdcdd32df712b0059a394eab87d Links to an external site.
James Wicks
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Teacher
May 20 6:06pm
Reply from James Wicks
Joseph,
Thanks for sharing your research related to the development of education in America
connected with the Protestant Reformation and earlier reforms, etc… To clarify, specifically the
development of the printing press with movable type by Gutenberg did indeed make texts more
available and less expensive providing more individuals with access to the printed word whether
the Bible specifically or other literature and with that came texts printed in the vernacular
(common languages) rather than Latin, etc… Naturally, this would make several inroads in
churches but also in the realm of schools/education where students having access to actual texts
would be of great benefit to their intellectual and hopefully spiritual development especially as
we see Luther and other reformers’ interests in schooling and in our own country with the early
Pilgrims, Puritans, and other colonists and the start of our early higher education institutions such
as Harvard, Yale, et al. Of course, the fundamental skill that must be mastered is that of reading
for one’s self so that one can discern right from wrong, truth from error, etc…and do as the
Bereans as recorded in the Book of Acts. It would seem wise for us to emphasize the basics once
again to produce the most literate populace with the best foundation for a more flourishing
future.
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Dr. Wicks
Dr. Wicks
Instructors Feedback:
May 23 at 3:16am
Joseph,
Well done overall!BSee rubric for specific comments.
I appreciated your comments related to what you believe in correspondence with specific
questions concerning the history and purpose of education in America’s history.B It is important
for all of us to be able to articulate what we believe in order that we can provide clear answers to
ourselves, our peers, our students, and the community-at-large.B I hope that you enjoyed this
opportunity to express what you believe before an audience of your peers!
- Dr. Wicks
-BJames Wicks
Grade 43/45
